InkCraftRib Tattoo Ideas for Men Along the Side
26 men's ribs tattoos photographed on skin for InkCraftBy Uladzimir TumanauUpdated
On a man the ribs are often overlaid by the outer edge of the lats and the ridged serratus muscle below the armpit. These rib tattoos for men are photographed on the bare side, next to their flat designs, so you can see how a side piece sits across that muscle.
- Japanese · colourTry it on — Color Japanese sun tattoo on a man's ribs
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal tattoo on a man's ribs
- blackwork · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white blackwork tattoo on a man's ribs
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal cat tattoo on a man's ribs
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework tattoo on a man's ribs
- fine line · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white fine line dragon tattoo on a man's ribs
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework tattoo on a man's ribs
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework lotus tattoo on a man's ribs
- dotwork · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey dotwork koi fish tattoo on a man's ribs
- watercolor · colourTry it on — Color watercolor tattoo on a man's ribs
- Japanese · colourTry it on — Color Japanese snake tattoo on a man's ribs
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework tattoo on a man's ribs
- ornamental · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey ornamental tattoo on a man's ribs
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal tattoo on a man's ribs
- illustrative · colourTry it on — Color illustrative tattoo on a man's ribs
- linework · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white linework tattoo on a man's ribs
- illustrative · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey illustrative tattoo on a man's ribs
- ornamental · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey ornamental tattoo on a man's ribs
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal tattoo on a man's ribs
- traditional · colourTry it on — Color traditional tattoo on a man's ribs
- dotwork · black and greyTry it on — Black and grey dotwork tattoo on a man's ribs
- tribal · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white tribal tattoo on a man's ribs
- neo traditional · colourTry it on — Color neo traditional tattoo on a man's ribs
- geometric · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white geometric shark tattoo on a man's ribs
- geometric · colourTry it on — Color geometric tattoo on a man's ribs
- geometric · black and whiteTry it on — Black and white geometric tattoo on a man's ribs
Every pair is one tattoo: the design as it was drawn, and a photograph of that same design on the body.
These 26 tattoos on men's ribs, in numbers
- Body parts
- 1
- Black and grey
- 19
- Colour
- 7
- Most common style
- linework
Lats, serratus and a tall side panel
From the armpit down, the side of a man's torso is shaped more by muscle than by bone: the lat sweeping round from the back, the serratus in short ridges over the upper ribs, the obliques lower down. On a lean or trained body those ridges show through the skin. Designs that run vertically along the side, such as script, a long snake, a flowering stem or a blade, sit with the muscle lines; broad horizontal designs are cut up by them.
A broad ribcage gives real height and width, and men's rib pieces often reach from the armpit to the top of the hip and wrap a little towards the back. That size is fine. The thing to plan is where it ends, since a side piece can later join a chest or back piece, and a clean edge makes that join simpler.
Where the side changes first
Weight gain on many men shows first low on the side, just above the hip, while the upper ribs under the arm stay much the same. A design placed high on the ribcage keeps its shape through changes that would stretch the lower part. If your weight moves around, keep the detailed parts of the design high and let the lower end be looser.
Hair on the side of the torso is usually light, though heavier under the arm and towards the chest on some men. The pain and the split sessions this area is known for are set out on the ribs page.
Common questions
- Where exactly do rib tattoos go on a man?
- On the side of the torso, between the armpit and the top of the hip, often over the upper ribs where the serratus is. Some reach forward towards the chest or back towards the lat, and the largest cover the whole side in one tall panel.
- What rib tattoo ideas suit a muscular side?
- Tall designs that follow the side vertically: lettering read from top to bottom, a snake or dragon, a tree, a sword, a long botanical stem. They run along the muscle lines instead of across them. Strongly geometric pieces show every ridge of the serratus underneath, which some people like and others do not.
- Does a rib tattoo show when a man lifts his arms?
- Yes, and more of it. Raising the arms lifts the lat and stretches the side, so the top of a rib piece opens up and can be seen from the front and back. With the arms down, the upper part is partly hidden against the body, which is why placement is judged with the arm relaxed.
- Which styles suit a small or large rib tattoo on a man?
- Tribal and Japanese work suit a large side piece, since both are drawn to flow with the body; a koi or a dragon can run the full height from armpit to hip. Linework, script included, suits a small rib tattoo high under the arm, clear of where weight settles. Geometric pieces suit a lean side, where their lines have a flatter surface to sit on.
See it on your own skin first
InkCraft places a design on a photo of you — scaled, wrapped and shaded to the spot you pick, so you can judge the size against your own body before it is permanent.